Sioux Falls, South Dakota


Sioux Falls is located in the south-eastern part and is the largest city in the U.S. State of South Dakota. Best Little City in America. Sioux Falls has more than 50 parks and greenways. It is the home of a number of financial companies and the city is an important location for health care and retail trade. Downtown is home to 57 historic building.



To See And To Do In Sioux Falls


  • Sertoma Butterfly House
  • Old Courthouse Museum
  • Center For Western Studies
  • Empire Mall And Empire East
  • Strawbale Winery Wine Tasting
  • Falls Park
  • Play Golf
  • Downtown Farmer's Market
  • Great Plains Zoo
  • Delbridge Museum Of Natural History
  • Sertoma Park
  • The USS Battleship South Dakota Memorial
  • Northern Plains Gallery
  • Sculpture Walk
  • Kirby Science Discovery Center
  • Prairie Star Gallery
  • Visual Arts Center At The Washington Pavilion


History Of Sioux Falls - Timeline


In 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition describes the falls of the Soues River. In 1832, the explorer, trader, and trapper Philander Prescott camped at the falls. In 1838, the Pathfinder and military officer John Charles Frémont and the French scientist Joseph Nicollet explored the region and wrote a description of the falls.

In 1856, Sioux Falls was founded by land speculators. Two separate groups claimed the land around the falls and seventeen men spent the first winter in Sioux Falls to protect the site against hostile native tribes. In 1858, the newspaper, The Democrat, was published. In 1860, the Augustana College was established.

In 1862, a messenger brought news of a Minnesota massacre to the citizens of Sioux Falls and all residents abandoned their settlement. In 1865, Fort Dakota was established in present-day downtown. Many former settlers returned and the first Post Office opened and in 1866, a new wave of settlers arrived.

In 1875. a library was established. It was free to all residents. In 1876, The Village of Sioux Falls was incorporated. The same year, the Eighth Street bridge was built but it was swept away by the flood of 1881.

In 1879, the railroad reached the town. In 1880, Sioux Falls was incorporated as a city. In 1883, the Meredith Hall was built. It was the original building of Sioux Falls University.

In 1884, electric streetlights were installed and a private company supplied water to the citizens. In 1885, the first bank opened. In 1888, the city had its first paved street.

In 1900, a fire destroyed the Cataract Hotel. In 1909, the John Morrell meat packing plant opened. In 1912, the Central Fire Station at Ninth Street and Minnesota Avenue was constructed. In 1922, WFAT, the first radio station, started.

In 1934, the Dillinger gang robbed the Security Bank and took five hostages who later were released. In 1936, the City Hall opened its doors. In 1942, an airbase and a military radio and communications training school were established. In 1950, there were more than 52,900 people living in the city.

In 1962, the Sioux Falls Arena was completed. In 1969, The USS Battleship South Dakota Memorial was erected. In 1996, Sanford Health was founded.